25,000 Niger delta youths to be empowered on food production _ FG

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is set to empower over 25,500 youths and women in agricultural entrepreneurship across the Niger Delta states. During a recent technical session on Group Savings and Loan and Record/Bookkeeping in Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, the National Project Coordinator, announced that the initiative is part of the livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Participants from the six Niger Delta states are involved in the project, which has a total loan funding of $60 million. Sanni, represented by his Technical Assistant, Mr. Bunmi Ogunleye, explained that the project spans two phases over 12 years, with the first phase, which began in 2019, including Abia, Bayelsa, Ondo, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states. Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers joined in 2024, making a total of nine participating states.

The project aims to empower youths and women in agriculture for self-reliance and sustainability, focusing on selected commodities like cassava, plantain, fish, rice, cocoa, oil palm, and poultry. Sanni noted that the empowerment encompasses the entire value chain, from production and processing to marketing. Training will also enhance skills in record keeping and documentation, enabling participants to share their knowledge with others.

National Financial Inclusion Specialist Obiageli Ekwelie added that participants learn from experts in their respective commodities for a duration aligned with the commodities’ gestation periods. Upon completing the training, they will be equipped to start their businesses with initial capital, improve their saving habits, raise their credit ratings with financial institutions, and effectively track their enterprise activities.